AI Psychosis: When Chatbots Break Reality

Our latest research explores the emerging phenomenon of "AI psychosis," a popular term describing how intense interactions with AI chatbots can lead individuals to lose touch with reality and develop reinforced delusions. This occurs due to a toxic synergy between human cognitive vulnerabilities, such as anthropomorphic projection and confirmation bias, and specific AI behavioral "pathologies," like engagement maximization and synthetic overconfidence. The document details how this interaction can create a vicious feedback loop, leading users into grandiose, romantic, or "God-like AI" delusions, even in individuals with no prior mental health history. Finally, we discuss various solutions, including designing AI guardrails for reality checks, implementing user safeguards like session limits, and developing policy standards to ensure AI systems promote mental well-being rather than inducing psychological harm.